counterstrike

noun

coun·​ter·​strike ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk How to pronounce counterstrike (audio)
variants or counter-strike
plural counterstrikes or counter-strikes
: a strike that retaliates against or counters earlier strike : a return strike
government counterstrikes against the rebel stronghold
… the belief on both sides that any attack would be met with an equally devastating counterstrike.W. J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett

Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence

after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In its report on Chinese military power, the Pentagon said the LPARs supported China's implementation of the early warning counterstrike nuclear posture, which provides missile warning that leads to the country's counterstrike before an enemy first strike can detonate. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 The range and severity of the attacks and Israel’s counterstrikes have escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of an all-out war that would have catastrophic consequences for people on both sides of the border. Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2024 Beijing is going to be able to go after more and different types of targets, do greater damage and have more options for multiple rounds of counterstrikes, the official said. Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) uncovered Jamie's scheme and began plotting her own brutal counterstrike. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for counterstrike

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterstrike was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Counterstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterstrike. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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